Those are two of the best things about my new apartment.

I went to view it today; I'm signing the rental contract tomorrow. Moving day is on the 1st of December.

The structure, designed by the world-famous Alvar Aalto, was originally built as part of a pulp mill in 1931 and converted to residential apartments in 1994.

The west face of the building. It's the so-called "flagship" of the whole complex.

 

What's a flagship without an anchor?

 

View from the top floor. You can see a glimpse of the park by the shore -- the biggest park in the city, perfect for a jogger like me! The concrete monstrosity in the center is a silo, protected by museum law. Can't have things too picture-perfect, now, can we?

A second cousin of mine, who's also a good friend, happens to live in the same building. Seriously, what a fluke. I visited him after my walk (and 11:11 moment of silence) in the park. I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time with him and my other friends in the city of Oulu, once I move there. It's been a long time since I had so many real friends living close by.

So, what with this and my new job, it looks like the basic essentials of my life are finally settling into a pattern that feels right. That's worth a lot to me, and I'm very grateful for it.

(It's not all roses, naturally -- the neighbourhood is a poor one, known for its restless, unemployed youth and their unwholesome, nocturnal ways -- but I figure I'll survive. I'd rather live in a place that's openly miserable than one that hides its sickness behind a false front of prosperity, anyway. Hah!)

<o> <o>